SEAL’s Command by Makenna Jameison
Chapter 11
Ashleigh blinked as they pulled into a motel parking lot around ten that morning. She was groggy and tired, and somehow, she’d slept for the past several hours. Slate must’ve taken an exit on the highway to this small town. Had they really just spent seven hours on the road? They’d left at three, briefly stopped for gas and a bathroom break around six a.m., and then had been driving ever since.
“I think we should stop here for the day,” Slate said as he parked the Jeep. “We can eat, rest, and then head out again around nightfall.”
“Are we being followed?” she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“Negative, but it’ll be easier for anyone to spot us on the highway during the day. They know the license plate of the vehicle we’re driving. I’m sure they’ll guess the way we headed. Hopefully they’re still looking up in the Seattle area at the moment, expecting us to come to the airport. When they realize we’re not at the cabin or airport, however, I’m concerned they’ll be looking for us to drive south.”
“This is crazy,” Ashleigh said, trying to shake the fuzziness from her mind. She’d been in a deep sleep, content to let Slate drive, but she knew he had to be exhausted. Even a hardened warrior like him needed some food and rest. No doubt he was used to staying up for long stretches while his men were on missions, but it wouldn’t be safe to drive for twenty plus hours straight. Even if he’d been full of adrenaline earlier, he’d eventually crash.
“It looks like they’ve got rooms available here,” he said, nodding his head toward the vacancy sign. She followed his gaze and then glanced over at him, noticing the stubble on his strong jaw. Slate had thrown on a thermal shirt and jeans earlier, along with his hiking boots. Even after waking in the middle of the night, he managed to look sexily rumpled. Ashleigh was sure she just looked like a mess. “I figure one room is safest, but I’ll make sure we have two beds.”
“Oh. Okay. That makes sense.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, pinning her with his green gaze. “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. We can get rooms next to one another if you prefer. I don’t think we’re in any immediate danger here.”
“I think I’d feel safer if you’re with me,” she admitted.
He held her gaze for a moment but didn’t say anything. It felt strangely intimate to be sitting together in his Jeep, checking into a motel room together. They’d spent two nights at the cabin, but there was more space there and it had been accidental. This was deliberate. They’d be using the same shower, sleeping in beds in the same room. She flushed slightly at the thought.
“Ashleigh?” he asked softly, and she realized she’d frozen in place.
“I’m okay with us getting one room. Let’s go check in,” she said. “I know you have to be exhausted after driving for hours.”
He watched her but nodded once. Slate climbed out of the vehicle and rounded the front of the Jeep. She opened her door but let him help her out. Her ankle was stiff, and she realized she hadn’t taken any painkillers today. It felt worse than yesterday, and she wondered if she’d actually fractured or broken it. Or was it just hurting because she hadn’t taken any medication?
“Are you okay?” he asked, watching as she winced.
“Yeah. My ankle feels worse. It’s wrapped but still really swollen.”
“Hell,” he muttered. “We’ll get you to a doctor when we reach San Diego. I can ask if there’s a drug store nearby. Maybe we can pick up a sturdier ankle brace. I hope you didn’t break it when you slid on the ice.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s not like I’m running a marathon today. I’ll rest and get it checked out whenever we make it to San Diego.” Nervously, she looked around the parking lot. “And you’re sure no one is following us?”
“You’re safe, Ashleigh,” he assured her, his voice deep.
He held out his arm, and she readily took it, walking with him toward the lobby. Slate towered above her, and with him at her side, she did indeed feel safe. Protected. She wanted to shower and then crash for a few hours. She felt groggy from sleeping in the car and couldn’t wait to stretch out on a bed, assuming she could sleep with the man beside her in the same room. Then again, she’d fallen asleep by the fire in his arms, hadn’t she? Something about Slate comforted and soothed her. He was calm but lethal, which was an interesting dichotomy but made her attracted to him nonetheless.
Fifteen minutes later, Slate was carrying their suitcases into the motel room. He’d parked the Jeep in the lot below them, since they’d gotten a room on the second floor. He’d had to help her upstairs, but he insisted it was safer than being on ground level. There were two full-sized beds and a clean yet old bathroom. It would work. At the moment, nothing sounded better than showering and putting on some clean clothes.
Ashleigh sank down on one of the beds, taking off her boots and unwrapping the bandage from her ankle. Slate cursed and crossed the room toward her, kneeling down in front of the bed as he gently examined her injury. “Hell. Why didn’t you say how bad your ankle was? It’s all black and blue today.”
“It’s been swollen since yesterday morning. I was hoping it was just badly bruised when I twisted it, but now I’m not so sure. It’s even worse today.”
“Damn it,” he muttered. “We can look for an Urgent Care facility near here.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “We need to rest. It won’t matter if I wait one more day. You’re tired; I’m tired. I just want to shower and sleep right now, not go sit in a waiting room.”
He frowned. “How are you going to stand in the shower if you’re in that much pain?”
She shrugged. “I’ll take a bath, I guess.”
He looked up, their eyes locking as he crouched in front of her. Slate’s large hands were still on her injured ankle, but he was oh-so-gentle. He was big and muscular, but she felt nothing but safe with him right here. One hand landed on her knee, and she felt heat washing over her. “Let me help you,” he said huskily.
“You want to help me take a bath?” she asked, her breath catching.
“You’re hurt,” he murmured. “And I can help you in the shower.”
“Slate,” she said, feeling a flush creep over her skin. He’d seen her mostly naked already, but that was different. He’d stripped her down the other night because she was shaking so much, she could hardly move. This felt like it meant something. The man had kissed her earlier. He’d been gentle, but she’d seen the heat in his eyes.
She nervously swallowed.
“I won’t hurt you, Ashleigh,” he said. He rested his palms on her thighs, waiting for her to make her choice, and it felt intimate. Sweet. He was waiting for her answer, but she was practically shivering at his touch. His hands looked so rough and muscular on her legs. She still had jeans on, but her feet were bare, and Slate was crouched down in front of her like she was his to care for.
She bit her lip but nodded, gasping as his hands moved to her sweater. Slate seemed to have no qualms about undressing her, and he was lifting the sweater up and over her head before she even had time to react. “You’re beautiful,” he said softly, letting his gaze rake over her breasts. Her nipples hardened against the lacy cups of her bra. His hands slid to the waistband of her jeans. “Lean back, and I’ll get these off of you.”
Blushing furiously, she leaned back on her elbows and let Slate help her take off the denim. She was in nothing but her bra and panties, and he lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the bathroom like she weighed nothing at all. Slate set her down on the vanity, reaching in to turn on the water. “Bath or shower?” he asked, his voice gruff.
“Shower. If you can help me to balance on one foot.”
He nodded, switching to the shower as the bathroom began to fill with steam. His gaze raked over her as the water heated, but he didn’t move to touch her again. Slate stripped off his own thermal shirt and jeans, standing there in only his boxers. She could see that he was hard. Huge. She wasn’t ready to sleep with him though. They’d barely so much as kissed, and she’d just met the man.
His eyes met hers. “I’ll never do anything you don’t want, Ashleigh. I can’t help that I’m hard right now—you’re beautiful. I’d never take you before you were ready though.”
She nodded, unconsciously biting her lip.
He stuck a hand in the shower then flicked his gaze back to her. “Water’s ready.”
She nodded, reaching around to unclasp her bra, but Slate shook his head. “Let me.”
Her breath hitched as he moved closer, but Slate didn’t rush her. She could feel the heat radiating off him and watched his chest rise and fall. He was affected, too. She knew he’d stop if she said to. He’d let her finish undressing on her own. He’d move out of the bathroom and give her privacy if that’s what she needed. She couldn’t form the words to tell him to keep going, but somehow, he understood.
His large hands reached around her back, and then he was expertly undoing her bra, sliding it from her arms as her breasts spilled free.
“You’re beautiful,” he said reverently, gazing down at her. He gently palmed one breast as he ducked to kiss her, and she felt like she’d melt into a puddle right there. He’d barely touched her, and her body was yielding to him. His lips were hot against hers, and his stubble lightly rubbed against her. He smelled like the faintest hint of pine, and she arched into his touch, loving his muscular hand caressing her breast. His thumb rubbed over her nipple as she squirmed, gasping for air.
Slate ended their kiss all too quickly, helping her off the counter and pulling her panties down. He pushed down his own boxers, his erection springing free, but he ignored it, lifting her into the shower. She was shocked at how strong he was. He had no trouble moving her where he wanted, and something about that both appealed to her and was arousing as hell. When she’d been with her ex, it had been nice. Fine. He’d brought her to orgasm most of the time, and she didn’t hate sex with him.
Slate’s kisses were unreal though. Heat washed over her just thinking about his lips all over her body.
The hot water poured down over them, and then Slate was kissing her again under the spray. She clung to him so she didn’t fall, balancing on one foot, and whimpered slightly. He pulled back, staring down into her eyes. “Is your ankle okay?”
“Yes.”
He looked down, frowning at how swollen it was. “I’d love to spend hours in here with you, but you’re hurt.” Slate grabbed the tiny bottle of travel-sized shampoo, squirting some onto her head as he began to wash her hair. She blushed as his muscular fingers rubbed her scalp. Slate could see everything. He towered above her and could see the water falling over her breasts, all her curves.
Even as he continued washing her hair, his hands were everywhere—stealing touches and caresses as he tended to her. He let the back of one hand trail down over her breast, his knuckles brushing against her nipple. As she gasped and clung to him, another moved down her back, cupping her buttocks. It was erotic and arousing.
Her pussy grew slick, and she wondered if he’d bathe her, too. Washing her hair was one thing, but letting his hands roam all over her body? Touch her intimately?
Slate rinsed the shampoo from her hair, telling her to close her eyes. She felt his lips on her forehead, and then he quickly used the hotel conditioner, letting his fingers trail through her long, blonde strands. Slate soaped up the washcloth, and before she could say anything, he was tending to her again, running it over her shoulders and back. He was gentle as he washed her breasts, and then he slid it down over her stomach. She gasped as he cleaned between her legs. Moving the washcloth, he lightly fingered her folds and cursed. “Hell. You’re soaked for me, Ash.”
Thick fingers moved through her arousal, and she clung to his biceps.
“Slate,” she whimpered.
“It’s too soon for me to make love to you, but I want to take care of you. Let me taste you, Ashleigh. I know your ankle is hurting. We’ll finish up in here, and I’ll take you to bed and bury my head between your thighs. I want to see you come for me and hear you crying out my name.”
“Oh God,” she whimpered. Slate’s thick fingers trailed over her clit, lightly circling it as she bucked against him.
He quickly washed her legs, being careful near her injured ankle, and then soaped up himself and rinsed off. After shampooing his own hair, he turned off the shower. Slate grabbed two towels, wrapping her in one as he quickly toweled off himself. His cock was thick and hard, but he was focused only on her, watching the way she held the towel to her breasts and squeezed out her wet hair.
He scrubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw and then lifted her into his arms. “I’ll be gentle,” he murmured. “I don’t want to shave right now. I can’t wait another second to taste you.”
Even though Ashleigh had been seated on one of the beds earlier, Slate carried her to his. She felt like he was claiming her. Even if they wouldn’t have sex today, he was making her his. She knew she’d never be the same after this moment. Slate was intense and focused, and to have all that concentration on her was flattering as hell.
He laid her down on the bed, and their eyes locked for a moment.
“I’m getting your pillows all wet with my hair, she said softly.
“I don’t care,” he ground out. And then he was moving over her, kissing her lips and slowly working his way down her body. He sucked one nipple into his mouth, lightly biting down as she pleaded with him. His mouth moved to her other breast, and he seemed to enjoy taking his time. His whiskers were slightly rough against her skin, but she didn’t care. It was sexy to have this muscular, commanding man driving her wild.
One hand slid to her pussy, and he played with her folds as he suckled her breast. To have this large man bent over her, worshiping her, had Ashleigh whimpering and writhing on the bed. He slid two thick fingers inside her hot channel, pumping them in and out as his thumb moved over her clit. It was too good. Too fast. She was splayed out before him, at Slate’s complete and utter mercy, and she’d never felt so good in her entire life. Ashleigh’s orgasm slammed into her out of nowhere, and she was crying out his name, feeling Slate smiling against her breast as he continued working her with his hand.
She held his head to her chest, gasping for breath, and then finally he kissed his way down her body. She felt Slate’s thick cock moving against her leg, but he positioned his head between her thighs like he’d promised, lazily grinning up at her. Slate looked smug that she’d come once already, but before she could begin to feel embarrassed in the least, he was devouring her, kissing and suckling her folds. He spread her legs over his broad shoulders, pressing even closer, and she cried out, digging her fingers into his short hair.
“You taste so good, Ash. So goddamn sweet.”
His tongue pulsed into her core as she bucked up off the bed, and his large hands gripped her hips, holding her so that she was at his complete and utter mercy. Slate trailed his tongue up her slit, and then he was sucking her clit into his mouth while she exploded once more.
Ashleigh was practically sobbing with pleasure when she finally came back to her senses. He slid her legs off his shoulders, softly kissing and nuzzling her inner thighs. His whiskers rubbed against her tender skin, and she felt his lips gently moving over her. Getting them situated in his bed, Slate tucked the covers around them both, wrapping his large body around hers. She felt safe, buzzing with happiness, but already drowsy after he’d wrung so much pleasure from her.
“Sleep, Ashleigh,” he murmured.
She wanted to argue, to give him pleasure as well, but she was so thoroughly sated, she relaxed in his arms and let sleep overtake her.